The DOT is confident that
the lanes will help buses move quicker along the congested area.
"Instead of going only 4 to 5 miles per hour, the bus lane should
allow our buses to travel close to 10 miles per hour," said MTA
President Lawrence Reuter, standing alongside DOT Commissioner Iris
Weinshall and Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión at an Aug. 30 event
announcing the lanes.

John Kaehny, executive director of Transportation Alternatives, a
pedestrian and cyclist advocacy group, estimates that the lanes can knock
15 to 20 percent off a passenger's travel time - roughly five minutes off
a 20-minute bus trip.

With roughly 70 percent of people using buses to traverse Fordham Road,
in Kaehny's estimates, the lanes make sense. "If your goal is to move
people and goods ... quicker buses are an effective way," he said.

But the changes will invariably pose challenges. The introduction of
the large fines have caused frustration among some drivers. A few were
seen shouting and writing down police badge numbers during the first week
of tickets being issued.

The lanes also tend to force businesses to reorganize their delivery
schedules to avoid ticketing during morning drop-offs. A Fordham Road
merchant frustrated by this already registered a complaint, according to
DOT spokesman Tom Cocola.

Cocola acknowledged that there has been confusion about the changes,
but overall the new lanes were running smoothly. "It seems to be
going well," he said, adding that he has already received calls
complimenting the lanes.

"It's going to impact on people dramatically," said Laiosa
about the changes. He is encouraging business owners and residents to
contact Bronx Borough DOT Commissioner Connie Moran with their concerns,
while he and other Community Board 7 members will play an active role in
monitoring the lanes.